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Bumps on Back Under Saddle - Not Sores

Two of our horses have developed bumps on their backs under the saddle. They are not sores but more like hard, nodules. We never use a saddle pad more than once without washing it and the saddles are custom fitted to the horses. It almost seems like ingrown hairs that that have developed into something. They are not tender upon palpating but may be uncomfortable, I'm not sure. The horses really don't seem to mind them but I'm a bit worried they may develop into something significant. The horses get great care, which is why this is a bit puzzling. Our other two horses under saddle don't have this issue. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

I've just finished going through this with my horse. Consensus from vet, chiropractic vet and (lastly) saddle fitter (who I called in after first two recommended I do so) was that my lovely amerigo saddle wasn't fitting my horse right and the pressure caused the bumps (my vet used the term that included collagen .... (fill in the blank). Also, the gel pad I was using was (perhaps) causing too much heat on horse's back.

The saddle fitter said a well-fitting saddle should need nothing more than a plain ol' cotton pad underneath the saddle. A new concept!!!!

Anyhow, for whatever reason, my horse was quite sensitive to the bumps so I've stayed off his back for the last month. He's an IR horse so couldn't inject him with steroids.

My vet had me use a topical spray called "Genesis" that is basically a spray for dogs. It has the same steroidal ingredient in it as animax but since I was giving it topically, my vet felt it wouldn't cause a problem. I used it twice a week, after wetting his back first.

My mare get two hard bumps on the left side of her withers if I ride her with a certain saddle. I assumed the saddle did not fit her properly. I have tried her in a different saddle where she does not get the bumps but she just does not seem to like it as much as she is more resistant to use her hind legs and step under herself. I am still searching for a saddle that fits her perfectly, but I still do not know what caues the bumps as its not where the saddle sits on her but in the channel. It really makes no sense to me. The bumps go away about an hour later. Any one ever had a horse like this?

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My horse has had these a few times and they've always gone away on their own.

thank you for putting a name on this. My TWH came with several on his shoulder/chest/lower neck but many resolved on their own while a few remain. One popped up where his saddle sets on his right side. If it doesn't resolve shortly I'll have it excised.

FordTractor these aren't remotely like rain rot...it's almost like there's a pea or BB pellet under the skin. Surface looks 'fine' but there's this little nodule under it.

According to my vet, the permanent ones arise when there's some irritant, often a bug bite, and the immune system goes a little hyper on it and builds up tissue around it.

And they can appear anywhere, but she finds them most commonly in areas that rub from the saddle or girth (which makes sense, since it would increase the irritation).

Just thought I'd share since I'm in the middle of treatment myself. Also, the steroid injection is inexpensive and quite simple (he was sedated anyway for sheath cleaning, but barely flinched). They just inject a bit of a corticosteroid right under the bump.